Staying Power

See ya, snowbirds. More seniors are choosing to stay in Westchester, many in their current homes.

By Ilyssa Panitz    

Artwork by Molly McGarvey

In Westchester, decades of parents have lived by the same philosophy: once the kids fly the coop, it’s time to sell the house, move to a warmer climate and spend your days teeing off on the golf course or playing tennis. That way of thinking is as outdated as using a landline to make a phone call. Today, Forbes reports that many older Americans (55 and up) are choosing to remain in their current location, either by aging in place or opting for a “domestic migration,” which involves moving to a nearby location rather than across the country.

What’s changed   

The experts and seniors we spoke with say there are three main reasons behind the trend:

1. Older adults favor familiarity because it provides a sense of security and comfort.
2. They want to remain close to family, particularly their kids, as they recognize roles eventually change and children often become caregivers for their parents.
3. Seniors prefer keeping their trusted doctors, a pharmacy that knows their prescriptions and the supermarket where they are familiar with the layout.

Aging and reduced mobility can be difficult realities for many to accept, and for some couples, selling the marital residence is an equally daunting prospect. The home often carries deep emotional significance, holding decades of memories—from their kids’ first steps and family movie nights to holiday gatherings and milestone celebrations, such as birthdays, proms and graduations.

As that popular “The Wizard of Oz” saying goes, “There’s no place like home.” So, rather than sell, many couples are choosing to stay put and hire licensed professionals to modernize their residences, adapting them to better meet their evolving needs while allowing them to age in place. Whereas others are moving to a new home nearby, sometimes renting and sometimes purchasing

Opting for simplicity

Colleen DeBellis, co-owner of Bespoke Cabinetry and Design in Chappaqua, says she’s regularly hired to help couples reimagine their homes to better suit their needs as they age. “We start by reconfiguring the spaces that are most frequently used, such as the kitchen, laundry room, primary bedroom and bathroom,” DeBellis explains. “My older clients want things to be simple and easy, which is why I might recommend an all-in-one washer-dryer combo for the laundry room; it’s a single appliance that washes and automatically dries clothes.” DeBellis says she even places the machine on a pedestal, thereby making it easier to access the controls and eliminating the need to bend down, which reduces the risk of a back injury

In the kitchen, which DeBellis says is the heart of the home, she creates wider passageways to better accommodate the use of a walker while always breaking it down into efficient work zones that streamline prepping, cooking and cleanup. DeBellis also creates larger kitchen islands big enough to store plates in a center drawer at waist level so older homeowners can more easily access them without having to reach overhead (our range of motion tends to decrease as we age) and potentially drop them.

“When it comes to kitchen technology, it’s a great time for seniors because there’s so much new, hip tech stuff that can help them while also appealing to younger generations,” says DeBellis. “For example, smart appliances are great for seniors who are less ambulatory. They can ask Alexa to preheat their oven without leaving their couch.” Even seemingly basic things like motion- or touch-activated faucets can help seniors who have trouble gripping or turning knobs.

Refiguring the home

Steven Bradsell, general manager and head carpentry estimator at Bradsell Contracting in Bedford, says that in his 25 years of experience, most homeowners look for ways to remain in their homes by adjusting the layout to be more user-friendly as they age. One of the most common requests he sees in two-story homes is transforming a formal dining room into a primary bedroom and expanding a nearby powder room into a full bathroom with a walk-in shower. “This allows homeowners to move around more easily and safely,” Bradsell explains, “while maintaining comfort and independence without the need to navigate stairs on a daily basis.”

Bradsell notes that a project like this can take up to five weeks from start to finish because it involves several key steps. First, an architect must submit drawings to the town. Next, the town will approve the plans and issue permits (or send them back for corrections before approval). Then construction begins, which can include:

• building new walls, rooms and closets.
• demolition.
• drywalling.
• installing electric and plumbing fixtures.
• painting.
• relocating the washer/dryer from the basement to the first floor.
• renovating the bathroom and installing ADA-compliant accessories.

Bradsell says a project like this typically runs around $35,000, depending on the scope of work and materials selected. While these upgrades may sound expensive, enhancing a house is actually cheaper than moving to an assisted living facility. According to A Place For Mom, a free senior living referral service that helps families find the right care for their loved ones, the average cost for an assisted living facility in Westchester is anywhere between $6,000 and over $10,000 per month. Prices are based on apartment size, medical assistance, dining and luxury amenities; many also charge an additional fee to move in.

Embracing technology 

Technology is also playing a key role as seniors age in place. DeBellis says many homeowners are using apps or voice-activated devices to control smart appliances like the stove and lighting throughout the home. “Lighting is especially important as we age because it can support our circadian rhythms,” she explains. “For seniors who are not ambulatory and stuck in their homes, there’s no difference between morning and evening, which can lead to confusion and agitation. Light is so important to our daily cycle, especially as we transition into night. Now, programmable lights can transition to an amber, softer light without changing the brightness. So they can still see things well, but the softer lighting will synch with their circadian rhythm, allowing them to fall asleep easier.”

As we age, our bodies lose heat more quickly, making us more likely to catch a chill stepping out of the bath or shower. That’s where heated floors and towel warmers come in, many of which can be controlled remotely or placed on timers. “Wolf, the kitchen appliance company, just got their warming drawer approved for fabrics,” says DeBellis. “Now, you can install a warming drawer in your bathroom for your towels and robes, which is great for seniors, but it’s also a very upscale feature for homeowners of any age.” And while not exactly new technology, DeBellis says she also installs curbless showers to reduce the risk of tripping, grab bars near the toilet and in the shower for balance and even heated benches in the shower. “This technology is going to directly affect how we age,” she adds. “It’s going to improve our quality of life and reduce the need for some people to need assisted living.”

Making a move

Not everyone wants to go through the headache or cost of a renovation. In fact, the National Association of Realtors says Baby Boomers, particularly those aged 65 and older, account for 42 percent of buyers and 53 percent of sellers, the highest of any age group. Janet Ferrante, a real estate agent with Houlihan Lawrence in Armonk, says that among her clients aged 60 and older, about half are looking to buy and half prefer to rent. Those who choose to rent want to avoid carrying a mortgage, paying taxes and being responsible when things break. Instead, they consult with their financial advisor to invest the proceeds from the sale of their home, and they draw from it each month to pay the rent.

When older adults begin the transition to their “forever home,” they have two priorities. The first is less responsibility and upkeep, and the second is  accessibility. Ferrante says many are looking for single-level living, with no stairs leading to the front door and a flat driveway. “Flat driveways are important because when it snows, rains or ice forms during the winter months, older adults worry about slipping and becoming seriously injured,” Ferrante explains.

If a ranch-style home isn’t available, Ferrante says the next most common request is for the primary bedroom to be on the first floor. “As people age, they don’t want to climb stairs because they can’t, or they want to be closer to the kitchen and family room as that’s where they spend most of their time. However, some buyers will consider a second-floor bedroom that’s already equipped with an elevator or chair lift. If it doesn’t have either, they might install one after they’ve purchased the home.”

Choosing a community

For some, 55-plus communities make the most sense. They offer important amenities, like security. “People want to feel safe,” Ferrante says. “And these on-site security officers continuously monitor and patrol the property, providing residents with peace of mind.”

Lifestyle also consistently ranks high on Ferrante’s clients’ list of priorities. “These communities make everyday living feel like a five-star vacation,” she says. Heritage Hills in Somers, although not exclusively for people ages 55-plus, has many senior residents and is a prime example. These communities offer luxury ammenities like 24-hour security, on-site EMTs, 18-hole golf courses, swimming pools, tennis courts, on-site restaurants, walking trails, fitness centers, regular shuttle services and even a clubhouse for games, such as mahjong, canasta and poker. These features create opportunities for older adults to meet new people, expand their social circles and stay active. In 2019, the National Library of Medicine released a report citing seniors are more active today than previous generations of the same age. Ferrante also adds, “The extensive menu of perks at many 55-plus communities makes it appealing for children and grandchildren to visit.”

While there are six different 55-plus developments in northern Westchester, Ferrante notes that inventory remains limited. As a result, homes in these communities often command premium prices, reflecting the extensive amenities and services they provide, putting them out of financial reach for some seniors.

Of course, these aren’t the only living solutions for seniors—many have gotten creative, forging various co-living situations depending on their circumstances. Some have moved into an accessory dwelling unit on their child’s property, while others build one on their property for themselves and then rent out their main home to a younger couple or family. Single seniors sometimes take inspiration from “The Golden Girls,” living together with others of the same age and gender (we just hope there’s a Rose in each one!).

Nationally, there are platforms like Nesterly or Silvernest that pair older homeowners with younger renters, often students, creating a win for everyone: cheap rent for the student and another “life” in the home who can help with light chores and provide social interaction for the senior(s). But regardless of the path seniors choose, where they rest their head at night should be a place that fills them with comfort, dignity and a true sense of quality of life.

This article was edited by Meryl Kaye and fact-checked by Gia Miller. The artist created her work with pen and ink, and additional textures were created in Adobe Creative Suite.

This article was published in the March/April 2026 edition of Connect to Northern Westchester.